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In Iran, former hostage taker criticized over apology

Former hostage taker and current Reformist political figure Ebrahim Asgharzadeh has been criticized for offering an apology to the Americans held in the 1979 hostage crisis and their families.
Iranian reformist Ebrahim Asgharzadeh prepares his paperwork to register as a presidential candidate at the Interior Ministry in Tehran.  Iranian reformist Ebrahim Asgharzadeh prepares his paperwork to register as a presidential candidate at the Interior Ministry in Tehran May 14,2005. Candidates began registering on May 10 for Iran's June 17 presidential election. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi - RTRB4PM

A former leader of the group responsible for storming the American Embassy in Tehran in 1979 and taking American hostages has been criticized for offering an apology to the families of the hostages.

Talk of an apology is not from one administration to another, but of sympathy for families of individuals that for any reason were mentally and spiritually hurt,” Ebrahim Asgharzadeh told the Iranian Students’ News Agency on April 14.

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